Hazrat Qudratullah Shahab: Urdu Writer and Thinker

Hazrat Qudratullah Shahab was a great Urdu writer, bureaucrat and scholar. He appointed at the top positions in Government offices.

Shahab considers the authority on Pakistan early history. He describes the first problems of Pakistan and its civil service. His book “Shahab Nama” is widely read and appreciated.

Qudratullah Shahab was born on 26th February 1917 in Gilgit. He belonged to Arain family. He completed her early education at Gilgit. Then, Shahab came to Lahore. He got his graduation degree from Government College Lahore.

Qudratullah Shahab ‘s wife name is Iffat Shahab and son Saqib Shahab.

At the age of sixteen, Qudratullah won the prize from Readers Digest London.

Indian Civil Service

In 1940, Qudratulah Shahab joined the Indian civil service. Later, he appointed as a magistrate Bengal. In 1943 Bengal famine, he divided all the strategic stored rice among the people. Shahab came under heavy fire from the Government authorities.

Pakistan Civil Service

After the creation of Pakistan, Qudratullah joined the Pakistan Civil service. He appointed in the Ministry of Commerce as a Deputy Secretary. Later, he posted chief secretary of Azad Kashmir, Muzzafarabad. Qudratullah also served the director od Industries Punjab. He played a vital role to solve the issue of refugee and their settlements.

At the time of Governer General Ghulam Muhammad, he appointed the principal secretary to Governor General. He served this post till the regime of Skandar Mirza and Gen. Ayub Khan.

Qudratullah Shahab also served as the ambassador of Pakistan in Holland. In 1968, he elected as the member of the executive board of UNESCO.

Qudratullah Shahab as a Sufi (Spiritualism)

Qudratullah Shahab has clear views on Sufism. He was the close friend of Mumtaz Mufti, Ashfaq Ahmad and Wasif Ali Wasif. All personalities as mentioned earlier are much impressed by Sufi thoughts.

In his life, Qudratullah much impressed from Khawaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki who was the great saint of Chishtia order. He called this Sufi ninety in his autobiography Shahabnama. He declared this Sufi helped him a lot in all parts of life.

Honorary stamp

In 2013, Pakistan Post Office issued a stamp in honour of Qudaratullah Shahab with named “Men of Letters”.

Death

Qudratullah Shahab passed away on 24th July 1986 at the age of 69. His shrine located in sector H-8 Graveyard of Islamabad.

Qudratullah Shahab books (Literary works)

In 1959, Qudratullah Shahab formed Pakistan Writers Guild. He was elected the first president of this Guild. He wrote many articles in English and Urdu newspapers.

Qudratullah Shahab got fame from his biography ‘Shahab Nama’. Shahab compiled his biography on the saying of Ibne Insha. The complete book published after his death in 1986.